The Dickinson press., 1887-12-24
AN INDIAN FEAST.
THE GREEN CORN STAMP DANCE
AT TULSA, I. T.

Scenes ut the Autumn Festivities of the
Creek lndians-A Very Thorough Clean.
ing rroccss-A Perpetual Priesthood.
Sacred Firc-lHospitality.
This festival is n religious rite and is far
from being what is generally supposed an
ordinary dance. 1t usually continues for four
days and the ground on which it is held is
consecrated to the service for which it is used
by being cleared of all obstructions and laid
OFT into different rings or places for the
dances. ~ post is planted i'll tho center Of
one of these rings and a fire is kindled near
the post, and around this post and fire the
company, composed Of men, women and
children, dance to the music of n peculiar
kind of drum, which is accompanied bv the
singing and shouting of the dancers.
The first day is occupied in feasting and
the night is taken up with Il dance. The
second day is used as n fast, i'll which they
take no food and the night is spent without
sleep, the dance continuing all night. On
the third day, about noon, they partake of
what is known US the glitter medicine" COM
posed of some wild herb known only to n
certain M of the tribe, who attends to
the preparation with religious zeal and great
solclnnity. The effect of this bitter medicine
is very powerful in the way of stirring up
the inward organization Of the person
taking it, producing violent vomiting,
and is intended as a cleansing power. In
case the medicine does not act sufficiently
a long feather, usually from the wing of III,
eagle or other large bird having feathers of
proper length is taken, and the feather edge
trimmed off, except n small bunch of tho
point. This the person that has not been suf-
<S,;p,t1,y a, ,,,.nl ,-c,.. :.,. Ia: ...-Ai --l
down into the stomach, giving it n peculiar
tickling twist, and by repeating this opera
ton and laying himself over alag, face down.
ward, he finally is relieved of the contents of
the stomach, and arising he lronounces him
self internally cleansed. After thoroughly
satisfying themselves that there is nothing
left in them, the whole number OF those who
have taken the cleansing process repair to the
river, where they oil stand in the water, and
at a given signal from the leader they dive
under four times, and thus they claim the
outside is clealsed also.
Then they dry themselves i'll the sun, and
each one securing an arm load of wood. re-
turns to the dancing ground, and rebuilding
the fire with the wood they have brought,
and sweeping the ground perfectly clean,
they renew tho dance until the fourth day,
when they break up and return to their
homes.
These grounds are selected and established
with great care by the elder members of the
tribe, QUE of whom is leader, and one who
holds his office during life, and at his death
tine office deScenus to some other one, also a
member of the same family, thus initiating
the perpetual priesthood of the Jewish people.
The grounds Of this place were established
about forty years ago, and the ashes which
make tho place sacred were brought from a
similar dancing ground i'll the state Of Ala
bama at the time, and are buried here, where
u new fire is built every year, and the fire is
carried to their homes ant kept burning all
the entire year. Thus the same fire that
burns upon the main altar is to he kept burn
ing i'll the home of each individual, and is i'll
tended to remind them constantly of the
sacred obligation that they are under in this
respect.
During these festivities the most perfect
order prevails i'll camp, and anything of a
contrary nature is promptly checked and the
offenders reminded that the ground whereon
they stand is holy ground.
The dance is very peculiar, and in many
respects is less objectionable in its features
than our more modern dances. Each indi-
vidual operates independent of any one else.
There is no choosing partners and no flirta-
ton between TIE sexes, and anything of that
kind would be considered a gross insult, and
would meet with strong resentment, if not
very prompt punishment. The costumes of
many, especially the women, are very gaudy,
and are composed largely of fancy ribbons
and feathers. One was very conspicuous i'll
i'll this respect, having a beautiful head dress
of ribbons, reaching from head to foot and
representing the colors of the rainbow.
These people are not barbarian, as might
be supposed but they wear the civilized dress,
and only add these fancy ornaments as Others
ornament themselves.
The Greeks extend a friendly invitation tc
the other tribes to join them in this festi
val, and many of their neishbors avail them.
selves of the hospitality thus offered.
The Shawnees living within reach Away;
attend, and it is Thought that they excel il
the matter of dancing, many of the womer
being peculiarly graceful i'll their movements
Kansas City Times.